Planning application
149 Northfields Lane Brixham TQ5 8RH
Works: Trees
Refused. Only the applicant can appeal, within the statutory time limit, and a revised scheme can be submitted instead.
Proposal
Chestnut Tree on Northfields Lane. Tree T1 on sketch. Works requested: - Crown reduction by approximately 3 metres in height and 3 metres in lateral spread, resulting in a final height of around 14.92 metres (current height = approx. 17.92metres) and a final spread of around 11.66 metres (current spread = approx. 14.66 metres). - Crown thinning of up to 20%, evenly throughout the canopy, to reduce wind resistance and improve light penetration. - Selective pruning of long/heavy limbs to reduce weight and risk of branch failure, particularly on limbs overhanging public pathway, road and neighbouring property. - Removal of all significant deadwood throughout the crown in the interests of public safety. - All pruning cuts to be made back to suitable growth points to maintain the tree?s natural shape and structure. Reason for works: - A large limb (3 metres+) has recently broken from near the top of the tree, demonstrating the risk of further branch failure. I've attached photos of this. - The tree stands adjacent to, with limbs overhanging, public road, public footpath, my pathway and driveway to house, and neighbouring garden (there are young children who play in the garden) where falling branches could cause serious injury or damage. - The proposed works are intended to reduce the likelihood of future branch failures, while preserving the health and amenity value of the tree. This work would be carried out by an Arboricultural Association-approved contractor in accordance with BS3998:2010 Tree Work ? Recommendations.
As published by the council, reference AT/2025/0280
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2025/0280
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Decided
- Decision
- Refused As published: Refused With Alternative
- Received
- 19 Sep 2025
- Validated
- 24 Sep 2025
- Decided
- 11 Nov 2025
- Ward
- Furzeham With Summercombe
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ5 8RH
Site history
Applications at this address on the Torbay register
This site has had 2 applications since 2021: 1 approved, 1 refused.
-
P/2021/0429 Granted
149 Northfields Lane Brixham TQ5 8RH
Demolition and replacement of conservatory with rear extension, new entrance and porch, associated landscaping (decking no higher than 150mm existing ground level)
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
19 Sep 2025
Received by Torbay
-
24 Sep 2025
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
11 Nov 2025
Decision issued: Refused With Alternative
-
12 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Documents
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
Documents on file for this application
A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.
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Open the documentsWhat this refusal means
Torbay refused this application for the reasons on the decision notice; only the applicant can appeal, and refused schemes often return in revised form. More in our guide to what happens after a planning decision.
About tree works applications
Applications for works to trees cover protected trees: consent under a tree preservation order, or six weeks notice for trees in a conservation area. More in our guide to planning application types.
Nearby applications
Within 0.3 miles
-
149 Northfields Lane Brixham TQ5 8RH
Demolition and replacement of conservatory with rear extension, new entrance and porch, associated landscaping (decking no higher than 150mm existing ground level)
Granted Lawful development Extension Demolition 14 docsSmall domestic -
147 Northfields Lane Brixham TQ5 8RH
Formation of two storey extension to rear with 1st floor extension over existing flat roof garage to side and replacement porch to front. (Description revised 30.07.21)
Granted Householder Extension 13 docsSmall domestic -
64 Pavilions Close Brixham TQ5 8BU
T1 - Holme Oak Quercus ilex There have been some very unprofessional pruning cuts over the roadside that need to be pruned back into pruning points or branch collar. Because of the bad pruning work the tree is now unbalanced. I would like to prune the SW facing branches back from the 2 adjacent buildings to bring into shape with the rest of the tree and reduce shade on the adjacent houses. Reduce south side by 2m - making cuts of 150mm or less. T3 - London plan Platanus x acerifolia This tree is in good health although children are climbing and using the low branches for a swing. I would like to crown lift to 2.5 metres to give more light and stop children potentially having an accident. T6 - Common Lime Tila x vulgaris This tree is in the communal gardens and is casting a lot of shade on the surrounding houses. I would like to crown lift by 2.5m from ground level to reduce the dark oppressive feel for the residents.
Granted Trees 10 docs -
1 Pillar Avenue Brixham TQ5 8LF
Single storey extension forming conservatory to ground floor flat
Granted Full applications Extension 7 docsSmall domestic -
Works Throughout The Pavillions Estate - Please See Attached Map And Report Pavilions Close Brixham TQ5 8BU
006 - Lime - Reduce lowest primary limb on the south side by 2m - Reducing growth towards property. Crown-lift to 3m - To open aspect for properties in close proximity 007 - Semi mature Norway Maple - Repollard back to previous points - Cyclical works (3yrs) 001 - Holm Oak- Crownlift to 3m - To open up aspect for neighbours
Granted Trees 5 docs -
28 Furzeham Park Brixham TQ5 8RG
Formation of single storey side & rear extensions. Widening of existing garage.
Granted Householder Extension 13 docsSmall domestic
Other tree works applications
In Torbay
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AT/2026/0184 Granted
18A Mead Road Torquay TQ2 6TF
Crown lift secondary branch growth only up to approximately 4.5m from ground level to achieve the required vertical clearance above the driveway and neighbours. Crown thin overall leaf bearing twig structure by 10 percent. This will also help with canopy crowding and avoid other trees rubbing against each other. Remove all major dead wood from crown All trees are Fagus Sylvatica (Mature Beech) This work has been previously accepted in 2023, application submitted by Devon Tree Services and works were completed by them as well.
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AT/2026/0270 Awaiting decision
Flat 1 Greenwood Torwood Gardens Road Torquay TQ1 1EQ
T1 Mimosa Proposed works: Fell Mature Mimosa situated within a confined residential garden in a Conservation Area, immediately adjacent to a masonry boundary wall and nearby buildings. The presence of Ganoderma fruiting bodies at the base of the tree indicates a potential wood-decay infection. The tree also exhibits an irregular crown with apparent dieback and is growing within a severely restricted environment. Its proximity to residential property, garden areas and the public highway increases the potential consequences of structural failure. Felling is proposed on the grounds of suspected basal decay, apparent crown deterioration and the tree's restricted location.
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AT/2026/0271 Awaiting decision
8 Cecil Avenue Paignton TQ3 1LW
T1 - Holm Oak Recommended works: Establish a pollard framework by removing the three substantial lateral branches at the positions indicated by the red markings in Photograph 3. The proposed works are intended to reduce the extensive lateral crown and associated mechanical loading from the tree's pronounced lean, while retaining the tree. Cyclical management: Following establishment, implement a seven-year cyclical pollarding regime to manage regrowth, control crown size, and limit excessive loading on the retained framework. Inspect the developing pollard heads periodically, particularly during the initial establishment period, to assess shoot attachment, structural condition and physiological response. All works should be undertaken in accordance with BS 3998:2010, subject to confirmation that the proposed cutting positions and degree of crown removal are appropriate following an on-site assessment. The seven-year interval is the proposed management objective and should be reviewed based on the tree's regrowth and structural condition.
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AT/2026/0269 Awaiting decision
8 Ben Venue Close Torquay TQ1 1RX
T1 - Western Red Cedar Proposed works: Fell Reason for works T1 is an established Western red cedar growing in exceptionally close proximity to an existing stone boundary wall. Photographic evidence indicates that the lower stem is in direct contact with the masonry, creating a physical conflict between the tree and the structure. Continued radial growth of the stem could exert further pressure on the wall, resulting in progressive displacement and deterioration of the masonry. The close relationship between the stem and the wall also restricts access for inspection, maintenance and necessary repairs. The tree's position presents a long-term management conflict. Crown reduction would not resolve the fundamental issue at the base of the tree, as it would not prevent continued radial stem growth. Felling is recommended as a permanent way to resolve the physical conflict between the tree and the boundary wall, prevent further interference from stem growth, and facilitate any necessary structural repairs. This recommendation is based primarily on the tree's unsuitable position relative to the existing structure and the limited practical options for a sustainable long-term solution. Based on its apparent size and maturity, it is possible that the tree was planted after the original Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was established.
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AT/2026/0204 Granted
Flat 1 Vernon Court Warren Road Torquay TQ2 5TR
Holm Oak 12m Tall 50cm diameter (Already have approved plan for other three trees on site, scope to mirror that) Crown mai fence works requested to cut back to previous pruning points, not as far as original pollard but to the secondary pollard points, this has been noted on tree inspectors recent visit looking at other trees on site. This tree was not included in the original request due to a miscommunication between owner and agent. Plan to reduce radial spread down from 9m to 7m roughly removing 1.5-2m of regrowth.